Interim Head of Finance

Houst is hiring an Interim Head of Finance to take ownership of group wide financial management during a period of change and scale. You will lead reporting, compliance, forecasting, and financial discipline across multiple jurisdictions, while staying hands on in the detail.

This is a player/manager role, and suited to candidates with prior people management experience in a hands-on operational environment. 

This role provides financial backbone and credibility while the wider finance leadership structure is rebuilt. You will have visibility, influence, and real ownership, without carrying the entire strategic burden alone. 

Candidates must have a degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field, and hold a recognised professional qualification such as CIMA, ACA, ACCA, CCMA, or an MBA. We are looking for individuals with client-side experience in a management capacity, ideally in a global, tech-enabled startup or scaleup environment. Practice-only experience will not be considered; this role requires hands-on operational and strategic exposure to running finance in a growing business.

What you will be doing

• Own monthly management accounts, reporting packs, and variance analysis for the group
• Manage multi entity consolidation and intercompany accounting
• Oversee statutory reporting, audits, and tax compliance across jurisdictions
• Maintain strong financial controls, policies, and documentation
• Lead budgeting and forecasting cycles in collaboration with leadership
• Provide clear financial insight to support decision making, pricing, and cost control
• Manage and mentor junior finance team members where applicable
• Act as the main finance point of contact for senior stakeholders
• Partner closely with Operations and Commercial teams to improve margins and performance
• Step into operational finance work when needed, no ivory tower behaviour here

• Degree in Accounting or Finance
• Professional qualification such as SAICA, SAIPA, ACCA, CIMA, or similar
• Exposure to FP&A, unit economics, and commercial finance
• 5 plus years experience in financial management or group reporting roles
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and compliance requirements
• Experience with multi entity and multi currency businesses
• Advanced Excel or Google Sheets capability
• Xero experience required
• Comfortable operating in fast growth, high change environments
• Clear communicator who can explain numbers to non finance humans